County council bids farewell to retiring chief librarian

Janet Woodbridge’s upcoming retirement was announced at July 16’s county council meeting by library board chair Richard Meloche. Meloche, the deputy mayor of Essex, noted that Woodbridge has spent roughly the last seven years of her career as the chief librarian in Essex County.

“In that time, there have been great strides in our union contract,” Meloche said. Unnecessary wording was removed and a better atmosphere was created, in conjunction with human resource manager Greg Schlosser, he said.

Meloche added Woodbridge has been key in operating the branches including the opening of new libraries in the county with two more openings scheduled for later this year. However, Meloche said Woodbridge’s launching of e-libraries as part of the Essex County system would go down as her greatest legacy.

“E-libraries are going to be very important going into the future and they are going to make us successful,” said Meloche.

Warden Tom Bain congratulated Woodbridge on behalf of county council, also stating that Woodbridge leading the Essex County library system into the electronic world will prove beneficial down the road.

“We march onward because of the work you have done for us,” Bain told Woodbridge.

Woodbridge thanked both the library board and county council and thanked both bodies for the support she has received over the years.

“It certainly made my job easier not only financially but you support the libraries as much as I do,” she said.

Woodbridge said that “retirement is a function of age and I reach that magic number soon” and believed the library system will be left in good hands.